Fog dispersing compound

ABSTRACT

A process and equipment for dispelling fog from the atmosphere in order to improve visibility, the process consisting of discharging a compound into the fog that develop heat within the fog air mass so as to cause a convection current thus lifting the fog.

nlted States Patent 1191 [111 3,730,32 Bennett May 1, 1973 [54] FOG DISPERSING COMPOUND 3,173,246 3/1965 Norgren ..239/2 R [76] Inventor: Clifton L. Bennett, 3404 Goldfinch, 29524526 9/1936 Hcfughmnk R San Diego Calif 92103 2,693,140 11/1954 Mmton ..239/2 R 3,056,556 10/1962 Sanger et a1. ..239/2 R 22 Filed; Sept 20 1971 3,587,966 6/1971 Zettlemoyer ..239/l4 X [21] Appl' 181,701 Primary Examinep-M. Henson Wood, Jr.

' Assistant Examiner-Michael Mar [52] US. Cl. ..239/2 R, 239/14 51 Int. Cl. ..A0lg 15/00 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..239/2 R, 14 A process and equipment for dispelling fog from the atmosphere inorder to improve visibility, the process [56] References cued consisting of discharging a compound into the fog that UNITED STATES PATENTS develop heat within the fog air mass so as to cause a convection current thus lifting the fog. 2,232,728 2/1941 Pleasants ..239/2 R 2,934,275 4/1960 Ball ..239/2 R 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures POWDER FEED 333: ON POWDEQ sr-oRAGE ONTAINGR AQUEOUS SOLUTION PREssumzED SUPPLY TANK ONE FORMULA AQUEOUS SOLUTION DRY PowDER DnsPsusmG AQUEOUS SOLUT'ON SPRAY NOZZLE OIL BURNER PATENTED 1 9 3 sum '1 OF 3 PATENTED SHEET 2 BF 3 oerJggATlou POWDEQ POgIZSE ZE ED CONTAINER I I l I l ONE FORMULA AQUEOUS SOLUTION AQUEOUS PRESSURIZED SOLUTION SUPPLY TANK 3' l I j- Z? A D H 2- o I HI I a q o O I I o I M 00 l m]: M

l I I:II HI L I r'1' I A AQUEOUS SOLUTION SPRAY NOZZLE FOG DISPERSING COMPOUND This invention relates generally to process and equipment for dispersing fog in the atmosphere.

It is generally well known that traffic problems that are created by fog which reduces and severely limits visibility are so well and prevalent constituting a -menace to life and property. The problem confronts not only ships at sea and automotive vehicles upon a highway, but create intense and dramatic problems at airports when aircraft are unable to land because of the reduced visibility.

Because of the critical nature of the problems produced by the fog, it is obvious that elimination of it even over limited areas and for limited periods of time would be extremely advantageous.

It has been shown that dissemination of certain compounds, which after anhydration, are discharged into the visible water vapor formation will cause the water droplets to coalesce and drop out in the form of precipitation. This reduction of moisture within the specific area, lowers the humidity or dew point separat- 'ing it from the air mass temperature. Concurrently,

when this occurs, another action occurs in that an increase of temperature is created within the specific air mass during the precess. Thus further separation of the dew point and temperature occurs, thus causing the fog to disperse.

Accordingly, a principle object of the present invention is to provide a process and equipment for dispersing fog in selected areas and wherein the same may be eliminated so as to allow traffic upon the sea, upon the highways of land and by aircraft in landing and take off from airports.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process and equipment for dispersing fog wherein the equipment may be operated as a stationary or mobile ground unit.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a process and equipment for dispersing fog wherein the equipment may be controllable from any airport traffic control tower by remote means such as by the pushing of buttons.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a process and equipment for dispersing fog wherein the general process involves compounding certain chemicals with water, anhydration of the compound, then mixing the anhydrated particles with amorphous carbon, ionizing the particles, anddischarging the hot colloidal, ionized aerosol, into the fog formation at a very high velocity.

Yet a further object of the present invention is 'to provide a process and equipment for dispersing fog clearing phenomena occurs when the hot colloidal, ionized aerosol is released into'the fog formation, and wherein the following accordingly occurs comprising first: a coalescense of the visible water vapor droplets: secondly this coalescense leads to water droplet growth and dropout in the form of precipitation: and thirdly it is obvious that still another action occurs as the anhydratedparticles are absorbedby the water droplets and an increase in temperature'is created within the specific air mass. This sets up a mild convection air current thus further disturbing the delicate equilibrium between the air and the visible water droplets suspended in it.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a process and equipment for dispersing fog comprising a single operation utilizing ground operated equipment and which is economical, rapid and effective.

Still further objects of the present inventions are to provide a process and equipment for dispersing fog wherein suitable equipment will easily and effectively carry out the objective of the improved process, these objectives being achieved in a process that includes the steps of compounding the aqueous solution from suitable chemicals and water, and which may be dehydrated into a dry powder and injected into the ground dispersion equipment, or, and preferrably, the aqueous solution is injected directly into the ground dispensing units, where it is anhydrated and discharged directly into the fog formation in the single operation. However, should a two process method be desirable, the dehydrated powder may be injected into the dispensing units where it is anhydrated and dispersed into the fog information.

In order to carry out the two operation process,

- equipment is available to manufacture the dehydrated powder, and the reader is suggested to see FIG. 3 for a suggested dehydrating unit. The dehydrated powder may be stored in suitable containers for use when needed. When the single operation process is used, the aqueous solution is sprayed directly into the ground dispensing unit where it is anhydrated. Amorphous carbon is then introduced into the hot anhydrated particle mixture, following this the hot colloidal aerosol mixture passes through the cobalt ionizing unit, which effectively ionizes the particles.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of the aqueous solution anhydrated dispensing unit in its vertical operating position,

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the unit in its horizontal firing and warm up position, the view incorporating the high velocity oil burner, anhydrating chamber, amorphous carbon producing unit and the cobalt ionizing unit,

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of a suggested aqueous solution dehydrator which has been used to manufacture the dry powder and accordingly comprises a suggested example, and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing two methods.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the reader is directed to the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing.

Many different substances or compounds are known to have properties that will absorb visible water droplets from the atmosphere, without themselves changing their physical state. Some such substances are gaseousand others are liquids, but it is preferred in the present case to use only agents which are in a solid state at normal or ordinary temperature.

Of the various agents that are generally available, calcium chloride maybe mentioned as a typical and useful agent which has the advantage of being readily and economically available. However calcium chloride is but one of a number of agents which maybe utilized for this purpose.

Generally speaking, it has been discovered that while certain chlorides or chlorine-containing salts are effective, and are preferred, because of their being readily available and economically feasible. Also the bromide and iodine salts of the same metals may be used, and it may be said that certain groups of the halogen salts are suitable agents.

It is also been discovered that different alkali compounds with the halogens, such as the alkali metals like lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and casium also the halogen compounds of the alkali earth metals, such as calcium, magnesium, strontium, and berium, all produce solid agents that are suitable for use here. However, it will be realized that from the standpoint of cost and availability, the compounds of sodium and potassium from the alkali metals and the compounds containing calcium, magnesium and berium from the alkali earth metals are preferred.

While chloride alone may be a satisfactory agent, it has been found that the rate of action, and the effectiveness of the progress in dispersing fog is appreciably increased by adding to the calcium chloride a small amount of the halogen containing salts of one or more of the other metals in the above named group. This will become more evident as the specific description concerning the compounding and processing the agents is understood.

It is well known that a reduction is the particle size, results in additional particles within a specific space, with an increase of surface area ofa given mass of solid, at an exponential rate. This is the advantage of this process in that the anhydration process accomplishes this objective in one single operation, which results in absolute dryness of the particles and their immediate ionizing and dispersion in the fog formation.

It is also recognized that under certain circumstances the total amount of surface area may be increased by absorbing some of the reagent upon the surface of very small particles of some solid inert carrier. As an example of such a carrier, particles of colloidal size amorphous carbon may be used; and it is possible to introduce this inert carrier in the aqueous solution compound, for use in airborne equipment, however, with ground operated equipment it is preferable introduced immediately following anhydration of the aqueous solution, and prior to particle ionization, after which it is immediately dispersed into the fog formation.

A method of assuring this, is to start with ten gallons of water, then add water as may be required to dissolve all of the salts. The end objective is to dissolve the salts in the least amount ofwater, since the total amount of water used must be converted into a dry vapor, during the anhydration process. The solution is now ready for immediate use, or it may be stored in suitable sealed containers until needed.

A preferred basic composition of the aqueous solution for use in airborne dispensing equipment is as follows:

40 to 60 pounds 2 to 6 pounds 2 to 6 pounds I 2 to 6 pounds 1 to 2 pounds A to 1 ounce 1 to V4 ounce In compounding the aqueous solution with the above reagents, approximately 10 gallons of water is placed in a suitable container, then slowly add the calcium chloride, and stir until completely dissolved. The solution is then allowed to cool to normal room temperature. Now add each of the salts berium chloride, magnesium chloride and potassium chloride, totalling between 6 to l8 pounds, and stir until the salts are completely dissolved adding additional water as required to do so. Again the solution is allowed to stand until it cools to room temperature.

Now heat 1 gallon of water to approximately F. and place in a suitable 2 gallon glass jug. Add triton X- 100, shake well and allow to cool to room temperature.

Next heat 1 quart of water to approximately 120 F. and place in a suitable 1 gallon glass jug. Add soluable cutting oil, shake well and allow to cool to room temperature.

Next add cutting oil-water mixture to triton X-lOO water mixture and shake well. Now slowly add carbon black to the combined mixture and shake until lamp black is completely in solution. Now add mixture to be calcium chloride aqueous solution and stir until completely mixed. Allow to stand for a minimum of 1 hour.

The aqueous solution is then decanted, or strained to leave behind all sediment in the mixing container. The solution must be below the saturation value of the water, in order that all of the salts remain suspended in the specific amount of water. The solution is then ready for dehydrating, or it may be stored in suitable containers until needed.

The aqueous solution prepared for the ground unit used is introduced into the equipment supply tank 10, shown in FIG. 1. The ground unit consists mainly of a storage tank 10, which supplies the aqueous solution, under pressure, through line 1 l, shut-off valve 13, temperature controlled shut-off valve 22 and line filter 12, to anhydration spray nozzle 14. The tank is filled through filler neck 15 and is pressurized by air compressor 17, which may be of any suitable design, through pressure regulator 19 and line 18.

It will be apparent that other means of delivering the aqueous solution, under pressure to the anhydrator spray nozzle 14 such as a motor driven by-pass pressure regulator pump.

As may be seen by reference to FIG. 2, the anhydrating dispensing unit, mainly comprises an outer supporting structure, supporting frame 6, heat insulation brick 5, which forms anhydration chamber 2. The l,900 to 2,000 F. heat in the anhydration chamber is supplied by High Velocity Oil Burner 4. FlG. 1, Air to burner being supplied by Blower 2, through supply line 3. Temperature in anhydration chamber 2, through supply inc 3. Temperature in anhydration chamber 2, FIG. 2, is maintained by sensing unit 23 which also controls the aqueous solution shut-off valve 22. Oil supplied to the oil burner from fuel oil storage tank 7; through oil supply line 5", and shut-off valve 6; The amorphous carbon oil burner 25, FIG. 1 and 2, supplies the required amorphous carbon. Oil is supplied to this burner from oil tank 7, and lines 5 and 26.

A fine degree of subdivision of the particles with absolute dryness are proviced by this anhydration process, which is mandatory to the overall effectiveness of this invention in dispersing fog from the atmosphere.

While the subsequent description is based on the direct delivery of the aqueous solution to the anhydration unit chamber, it is possible to first dehydrate the aqueous solution into a powder, by spraying the solution into a dehydration chamber heated to a temperature of 400 to 500 F. This process produces a powder, which from visual observation is dry, however, it is not anhydrated, absolutely dry, which is mandatory to the successful and rapid dispersion of fog from the atmosphere. And, although not shown, the anhydratordispenser unit may be modified to accept the dehydrated powder, by incorporation of a suitable container, a power driven feed and dispersion nozzle within the anhydration chamber.

The dehydrated powerder hydrates very rapidly when exposed to the ambient atmosphere, even with limited contact, therefore, preservation measures for handling and storing it will be required. If handled in normal, abient air, the powder must be kept at a minimum temperature of 160 F. Another measure, by which this temperature may be lowered, is to dehumidify the room air in which the powder is being handled, down to not more than ten percent.

Also, but not shown in either FIG. 1 or 2, would be 7 reversable electric motor and gear drive, with suitable micro-switches, for rotating the anhydrator-dispenser in the anhydration chamber 2, FIG. 2, with 2,000 F.,

being in the vicinity of the compounded chemical melting point, and, a minimum of 1,800 E, is required to convert the water in the aqueous solution into another product, or dry vapor, thus anhydrating the chemicals which were in the aqueous solution. This is mandatory to rapid and effective dispersion of fog, or water droplets suspended in the atmosphere. Immediately following anhydration, the particles are mixed with amorphous carbon particles, which are of colloidal dimensions; and it is obvious that the vapor resulting from the anhydration process, is absorbed on the surface of the amorphous carbon particles, which add substantially to the available surface of the inert carrier which has a very high affinity for moisture, namely visible water droplets suspended in the fog laden atmosphere.

The reaction, resulting from the overall process creates a specific amount of heat within the immediate air mass, which is sufficient to create a mild convection current, thus lifting the hot colloidal aerosol further up, and into the visible water vapor-laden atmosphere. And as the air current moves upward, additional moisture laden air (fog) is drawn in at the bottom. Thus the cycle continues until a large area around the dispensing unit,

and up through the formation, is cleared offog.

From the foregoing description of this invention it will be seen that various changes in the basic process and equipment, as well as the composition of the agents introduced into the fog formation, may be made by persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit or framework of the present invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the foregoing description and drawings are illustrative of the process, rather than limitativeupon, the invention as defined by the claims made herein.

What I Now Claim Is:

1. In a process and equipment for dispersing fog, the combination of a process involving compounding chemicals with water, anhydration of said compound, then mixing the anhydrated particles with amorphous carbon, ionizing the particles, and discharging the hot colloidal, ionized into a fog formation at a very high velocity, a preferred boric compound composition aqueous solution for use in airborne dispensing equipment comprising calcium chloride, berium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium (sodium) chloride, carbon (lamp black), soluable cutting oil and Triton X- Alkylpolyether alcohol," said compound including in relative proportions calcium chloride 40 to 60 pounds, berium chloride 2 to 6 pounds, magnesium chloride 2 to 6 pounds, potassium chloride 2 to 6 pounds, carbon (lamp black) 1 to 2 pounds, soluable cutting oil at to 1 ounce, and Triton X-l00 alkylpolyether alcohol 1 to l 7% ounce, and wherein in compounding said aqueous solution, approximately l0 gallons of water are placed in a container, said calcium chloride then being slowly added and stirred until completely dissolved, the solution then cooled to room temperature, then adding said berium chloride, magnesium chloride and potassium chloride totaling between 6 to 18 pounds and stirring until completely dissolved and adding water as required and allowing the solution to cool to room temperature, then heating 1 gallon water to approximately F. and placing in a 2 gallon glass jug, adding the Triton X-lOO, shaking it well and cooling it to room temperature, next heating 1 quart of water to approximately 120 F. and place in suitable 1 gallon glass jug and adding soluable cutting oil thereto and shaking well and allowing to cool to room temperature, next adding the cutting oil water mixture to the Triton X-100 water mixture and shaking well, then slowly adding carbon black to the combined mixture and shaking until the lamp black is completely in solution and then adding the mixture to calcium chloride aqueous solution and stirring until completely mixed and left to stand for a minimum of 1 hour, the aqueous solution then being decanted or strained to remove all sedement to form a final solution ready for dehydrating.

Enter the accompanying new drawings of the originally presented drawings into the case.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein an anhydrating dispensing unit for said solution comprises an outer supporting structure, supporting frame, said supporting frame being positioned around heat insulation brick directed to form a central and hydration chamber, a high velocity oil burner for supplying heat to said anhydration chamber, a blower for supplying air to said burner, a sensing unit for maintaining a temperature in said anhydration chamber and an amorphous carbon oil burner for supplying a required amorphous carbon. 

1. In a process and equipment for dispersing fog, the combination of a process involving compounding chemicals with water, anhydration of said compound, then mixing the anhydrated particles with amorphous carbon, ionizing the particles, and discharging the hot colloidal, ionized into a fog formation at a very high velocity, a preferred boric compound composition aqueous solution for use in airborne dispensing equipment comprising calcium chloride, berium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium (sodium) chloride, carbon (lamp black), soluable cutting oil and Triton X-100 ''''Alkylpolyether alcohol,'''' said compound including in relative proportions calcium chloride 40 to 60 pounds, berium chloride 2 to 6 pounds, magnesium chloride 2 to 6 pounds, potassium chloride 2 to 6 pounds, carbon (lamp black) 1 to 2 pounds, soluable cutting oil 1/2 to 1 ounce, and Triton X100 alkylpolyether alcohol 1 to 1 1/2 ounce, and wherein in compounding said aqueous solution, approximately 10 gallons of water are placed in a container, said calcium chloride then being slowly added and stirred until completely dissolved, the solution then cooled to room temperature, then adding said berium chloride, magnesium chloride and potassium chloride totaling between 6 to 18 pounds and stirring until completely dissolved and adding water as required and allowing the solution to cool to room temperature, then heating 1 gallon water to approximately 120* F. and placing in a 2 gallon glass jug, adding the Triton X100, shaking it well and cooling it to room temperature, next heating 1 quart of water to approximately 120* F. and place in suitable 1 gallon glass jug and adding soluable cutting oil thereto and shaking well and allowing to cool to room temperature, next adding the cutting oil water mixture to the Triton X-100 water mixture and shaking well, then slowly adding carbon black to the combined mixture and shakiNg until the lamp black is completely in solution and then adding the mixture to calcium chloride aqueous solution and stirring until completely mixed and left to stand for a minimum of 1 hour, the aqueous solution then being decanted or strained to remove all sedement to form a final solution ready for dehydrating. Enter the accompanying new drawings of the originally presented drawings into the case.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein an anhydrating dispensing unit for said solution comprises an outer supporting structure, supporting frame, said supporting frame being positioned around heat insulation brick directed to form a central and hydration chamber, a high velocity oil burner for supplying heat to said anhydration chamber, a blower for supplying air to said burner, a sensing unit for maintaining a temperature in said anhydration chamber and an amorphous carbon oil burner for supplying a required amorphous carbon. 